Hi my names Crystal...I had surgery on august 3 and i am 16....here are my answers tou your ?'s....=D ONE.) How do you overcome nervousness pre-op with insurance and the surgery in general? I know it is normal to be nervous, because it is a major surgery, but, what do you suggest to calm nerves? I couldn't get it off my mind! everyday i would ask my mom...hear from insurance yet? we all thought that I wasnt going to get approved...but i did! YAY...hehe...as far as being nervous about the actual surgery itself...i wasnt nervous one bit!! TWO.) What can I look forward to for the first couple days after surgery, like machines, wires, tubes, and that sort? You will have an IV...which sucks...lol...try to get back up on your feet as fast as you can...it sucks being in the hospital...lol...walk as much as you can!!! also, they come in like every hour and wake you up to take your blood pressure...temp...and all that fun stuff...RAR lol Three.) I BELIEVE I am having an open RnY. What can I look forward to with that? With everything? I didnt have open.... Four.) What are the chances of "dumping" after a year or so post op with eating something sweet? Or should I just not risk it? If i were you i wouldnt risk it...i havent had the dumping syndrome, but i have had some tummy aches...i have also noticed, that if i eat too much sugar, i begin to shake...i think it all might be a very mild dumping syndrome...but try to eat those foods like...not often..lo...if possible not at all...because when you do, the cravings get BAD...at least that is what i have found... Five.) How common is it that you go off of all your medication for diabetes and other comorbidies right after surgery? I wasnt on any other medications..... Six.) What are the chances of needing plastic surgery for someone our age? I have been told that at our age, our skin just "bounces" back. Is that true, or no? I'm not quite sure how true that is...i guess it also depends on your weight now...also i would assume its different for everyone... Seven.) What have been the effects of WLS on your self image? And have you found dating and relationships easier, now that you've lost weight and so forth? OH YES!!!! I WANTED TO ANSWER THIS ONE!!! that has been the most difficult part of all for me...its really hard trying to figure out who you are in your new body....i have noticed that i am more outgoing now (although i am still shy around my crush...=-/ ugh lol)...if anything...for me relationships with friends and guys have become more difficult...some of my freinds think that i am stuck up now since i have lost a lot of weight and everything...you tell yourself that you wont change your personality and that you will be the same perso inside after you lose your weight...but it doesnt necessarily happen that way..at least it didnt for me...although I am happier in some ways now...i dont think that i will ever be happy with myself physically or mentally...i can always find something wrong with myself...that is definately something i have to work on... BELIEVE ME ITS DEFINATELY NOT AS EASY AS I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE. JUST TRY NOT TO LOSE YOURSELF...REMEMBER WHO YOUR ARE...ITS HARD..BUT IT WILL MAKE THINGS A LOT EASIER IF YOU DO!!! drop me an email sometime! [email protected] also my aim is xxletsxmakeoutxx Love, Crystal 227/150/135-140

you can talk to me too if you want..my AIM is xxletsxmakeoutxx and my email is [email protected] feel free to email me anytime =D Crystal

I have medicaid, & I had two co-morbidites. Sleep Apnea & Arthritis.

Hi, I'm Stephanie, I'm going to be 20 on march 21, and my surgery date for open RNY is on March 23. Quite a birthday presant eh? I have a 2 yr old daughter and I am married to a great guy!

Hello all! I rarely post but seeing as I must represent for all my teens and early 20s people I couldn't help it. My name is Christine (22 years old) I'm from NY...30 min north of the bronx. I had Lap RNY July 29, 2004 and have lost 110 lbs so far. This is the best desicion I have ever made. Had one major complication from the anestesia (sp?). I still have 40 lbs till goal. I am in school getting my BA in Biology and going on to chiropractor college. I love to dance and watch Law and Order SVU (yeah, I'm obsessed!) Anywho, feel free to e-mail me if anyone has any questions...I'd be glad to share my experience. Also, my IM on aol is BlingblingC9 Christine 330/315/205/165